https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Norway in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed After the Norwegian government announced planned changes to the Citizenship Act, social media has been flooded with speculation and anxiety among foreign residents. What is actually happening, and when could the proposed new rules take effect? https://www.thelocal.no/20260623/timeline-when-could-norways-planned-new-citizenship-rules-take-effect Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:38:03 +0200 timeline-when-could-norways-planned-new-citizenship-rules-take-effect While stricter rules may pose challenges for some applicants seeking Norwegian citizenship, others may benefit from reduced UDI processing times. https://www.thelocal.no/20260622/what-will-norways-plan-to-toughen-citizenship-rules-mean-for-you Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:12:01 +0200 what-will-norways-plan-to-toughen-citizenship-rules-mean-for-you Waiting for a residence permit in Norway can feel like your life is on pause. You’re physically here, but the legal limbo leaves you uncertain about what you can and can't do - especially when it comes to working or volunteering. https://www.thelocal.no/20251121/udi-limbo-can-i-work-or-volunteer-in-norway-whilst-waiting-for-residency-permit Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:58:41 +0100 udi-limbo-can-i-work-or-volunteer-in-norway-whilst-waiting-for-residency-permit After a recent survey by The Local showed the difficulties foreigners in Norway face while waiting for answers from immigration authorities, we asked UDI for the hard numbers. How many cases are still open, and how long have people been waiting? https://www.thelocal.no/20260522/revealed-the-number-of-people-in-norway-still-trapped-in-udi-limbo-in-2026 Fri, 22 May 2026 10:54:14 +0200 revealed-the-number-of-people-in-norway-still-trapped-in-udi-limbo-in-2026 After a recent survey by The Local revealed the harsh reality that foreigners face while waiting for residency permits in Norway, we asked the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) to respond. https://www.thelocal.no/20260515/we-are-aware-norways-udi-responds-to-criticism-over-residency-permit-delays Fri, 15 May 2026 11:26:59 +0200 we-are-aware-norways-udi-responds-to-criticism-over-residency-permit-delays The lengthy wait for a residence permit has become one of the defining struggles for foreigners in Norway. So, what advice can those who have navigated this long and frustrating process, or are currently enduring it, offer to others? We asked our readers to share their insights. https://www.thelocal.no/20260506/hold-on-tight-advice-from-those-stuck-in-norways-udi-limbo Wed, 06 May 2026 11:00:25 +0200 hold-on-tight-advice-from-those-stuck-in-norways-udi-limbo Getting approval from immigration authorities in Norway is a long process that takes a heavy mental and physical toll. Readers of The Local explain how their lives have been impacted whilst waiting for Norwegian authorities to respond. https://www.thelocal.no/20260414/i-am-powerless-the-human-cost-of-norways-immigration-waiting-game Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:35:55 +0200 i-am-powerless-the-human-cost-of-norways-immigration-waiting-game Waiting for a response from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) does more than delay paperwork. It disrupts the lives of those moving to Norway. Readers of The Local shared how this uncertainty prevents them from working or traveling abroad. https://www.thelocal.no/20260417/im-a-prisoner-foreigners-in-norway-left-unable-to-work-or-travel-as-they-wait-for-udi Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:40:44 +0200 im-a-prisoner-foreigners-in-norway-left-unable-to-work-or-travel-as-they-wait-for-udi The Norwegian government has proposed new rules to align with the EU’s migration reform, introducing stricter screening for third-country nationals entering Norway. https://www.thelocal.no/20260403/norway-to-introduce-stricter-identity-checks-under-new-eu-migration-rules Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:03:25 +0200 norway-to-introduce-stricter-identity-checks-under-new-eu-migration-rules When applying for Norwegian residence or citizenship, you can sometimes be left with a long and frustrating wait for an answer. So, are there any ways applicants can check the progress of their applications? https://www.thelocal.no/20250326/can-you-track-the-progress-of-your-norwegian-residence-and-citizenship-applications Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:53:56 +0100 can-you-track-the-progress-of-your-norwegian-residence-and-citizenship-applications Waiting for the UDI to deliver your Norwegian residency permit can be a frustrating experience that can last months. So are you allowed to travel abroad during this time? And what about healthcare cover? https://www.thelocal.no/20251202/udi-limbo-can-you-travel-abroad-whilst-waiting-for-your-norwegian-residence-permit Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:24:32 +0100 udi-limbo-can-you-travel-abroad-whilst-waiting-for-your-norwegian-residence-permit Even though you can't work whilst waiting for the UDI to process your Norwegian residency permit it doesn't mean you shouldn't make the most of the limbo period, explains Irene Andrade. https://www.thelocal.no/20251128/udi-limbo-what-you-should-do-if-youre-waiting-for-a-norwegian-residency-permit Fri, 28 Nov 2025 12:48:57 +0100 udi-limbo-what-you-should-do-if-youre-waiting-for-a-norwegian-residency-permit